Yellow Fever Epidemic - Lake Providence

Yellow fever is categorized as "hemorrhagic fever caused by a virus spread by a particular species of mosquito" as per the Mayo Clinic. Although yellow fever remains a current issue in African and South America, there have been a number historic outbreaks in the United States.

East Carroll Parish was not exempt from experiencing the effects of yellow fever. The Annual Report of the Surgeon General notes the severity of the outbreak in the area. Although African Americans in the area were disproportionately sickened by yellow fever, more Caucasians died.

The Surgeon General's report also notes that Annette De Vincenzi, who fled New Orleans, imported yellow fever into the area on approximately July 21, 1905 and died August 4, 1905. The next case was that of Charley Hall who had gotten sick on August 16, 1905.

While information about specific deaths may be hard to find, Carolyn P. Avery transcribed a list from the Banner Democrat published on November 4, 1905 that lists the names of those that died in the parish. The number of African American deaths on the list published in the Banner Democrat corresponds with the number published by the Surgeon General. In contrast, the number of Caucasian deaths published in Banner Democrat was 17 versus 15 that were noted by the Surgeon General.

Using the transcribed list, a researcher can pinpoint the time period to which a relative may have died based upon this chart provided in the Surgeon General's report:

Additional pinpointing can be used by searching the Public Health Reports, Volume 20, Part II (1906) by the Surgeon General, which gives a nearly day by day accounting of new cases and deaths based upon locations. These reports appear to be based upon telegraphs that were sent to the central office. The race of the those who acquired sickness and the decedents is also noted. Locations such as Shelburn, Atherton, Milliken, and Bass are noted.

The 1905 outbreak was not the first time the epidemic had hit the area. This is evidenced by the Surgeon General's report: